Michael Jackson Died Today

[Mikla]

I just found out that Michael Jackson died today.  I can't comprehend it.  Jackson was a musical genius that was an icon when I was growing up and in my 20s. He united black and white artists on MTV.  It's like finding out that John Lennon died - what a terrible loss to the music industry. He was just preparing to go on tour.  Sure, he had his personal demons, but his music was a part of my life that I remember so well.  I feel a huge loss.  Music is a big part of my life and I feel really empty right now.

Mikla

[Diamondsbylauren]

that is such shocking news Mikla......

I'm stunned ...

[Diamondsbylauren]

You might still have a tear in your eye- but this will bring a smile to your face at the same time.

[Mikla]

OMG!  I'm really crying now.  It's hard to believe that the death of someone you didn't know personally could affect you this way.

[webmistress]

Farrah Fawcett, too.

I had no idea Michael Jackson had a heart problem.

[DiamondHunter]

It came as a shock to me too. Attended his concert once 12 yrs ago. I've often wondered about his continued absence from the entertainment world and was looking forward to his comeback concerts. He's like the Elvis of the 80s. Now he's gone. Forever. 

 

[saqsay1]

such a sad thing. he truly was amazing on stage. and the video for thriller is an all time favorite. what a hugh loss. 

[GIAGirl]

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Poor Michael.  He was such a troubled person, I hope he's at peace now. My heart goes out to his family, especially his children.

Jen

[Diamondsbylauren]

So true Jen....
Now it's pitchman BIlly Mays....
A bit of a shocking few days in that regard......

[oldmancoyote]

And Farrah Fawcett...

[Diamondsbylauren]

True omc....
I suppose that as sad as Farrah's passing was, it was .....expected ( a terrible word for this situation, but her illness was well known)

Michael Jackson was really a shock...


I suppose it's always a good moment to remember what's really important in life.
Hug you kids and loved ones a lot.

I miss you omc....

( all right, this is getting a little sappy... but am eagerly awaiting omc's next visit to the US!)

[Mikla]

And Ed McMahon shortly before.  David's right; we take so much for granted.

Mikla

[Diamondsbylauren]

Of course he was 97, so it's less of a shock...
Remember "The Streets of San Fransisco"?

[djm195]

My favorite Michael Jackson song...

http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=sEU9Q8NlOiY 

Rest in Peace MJ.

[Pip]

Michael was a junkie, plain and simple. If you look closely since 2000 onwards its plain to see.
Don't get me wrong i grew up on him and liked his music. No one can dispute he was a good artist.

As big as a fan and an idol Elvis is of mine, he too was a junkie.
Prescription opiates are a killer.

Hopefully they have both found peace at last.

[Diamondsbylauren]

Pip- without question both Elvis and Michael had problems with drugs.....but I still think you're being unduly harsh

One aspect of this that has struck me recently: All kinds of commentators are basically shredding Michael Jackson's life.
Michael Jackson had more genius in his little toe than any of the commentators can even dream of.
This is akin to having a gorilla commenting on the performance of Yoyoma...or Baryshnikov....or Michael Jackson.

What I'm saying is that for a "normal" person can't even begin to imagine what Michael's life was like.
Such massive talent does not come free.........

[Mikla]

The way I look at it, it's easy to criticize other people like Peter King, the congressman from New York, did.

http://www.nypost.co...a_pervert_177882.htm

But at the end of the day, we all have our demons.  It seems that many of those in the spotlight, whether they're rich, entertainers, actors, singers, even politicians, lose touch with reality and do shameful things because they can.  Perhaps that is because they are surrounded by people who don't say anything about it for fear of falling out of favor or losing a paycheck.

As for me, Michael Jackson played an integral part in my growing up and I think he was an incredible singer and musical genius. I will remember him fondly for his contributions to the music industry and the millions he gave to charitable causes.

Mikla

[Foxylady]

Hi

Michael Jackson was a very troubled Man, drugs are usually to blame for the demise of many people in the lime light or ordinary everyday people, and until you have lived with someone close to you just how evil drugs are and the mayhem that comes with taking them not just physically, mentally then it is very difficult for others to comprehend just how bad they are and how they change a beautiful person into something so completely alien and evil with it.

All that I can say is that Michael is now at peace.

Foxylady 

[Mikla]

So true, drugs can make people do unspeakable things.  Drugs and addiction can take over your life and leave you in ruins.

[Pip]

Pip- without question both Elvis and Michael had problems with drugs.....but I still think you're being unduly harsh

One aspect of this that has struck me recently: All kinds of commentators are basically shredding Michael Jackson's life.
Michael Jackson had more genius in his little toe than any of the commentators can even dream of.
This is akin to having a gorilla commenting on the performance of Yoyoma...or Baryshnikov....or Michael Jackson.

What I'm saying is that for a "normal" person can't even begin to imagine what Michael's life was like.
Such massive talent does not come free.........

With all due respect why is the truth a harsh factor?
No speculation nor commentary is being offered by me and i agree the scum are crawling out from the woodwork to give their pennies worth of great insight.

I made an inference of similarity being prescription opiates and other plethora POM's used by many, many to escape and god forbid the fact they LIKED being off their cakes.  

As you are aware Elvis is my hero and idol, i am not however jaded to the truths that bestowed and plagued the man. Very hard for me to accept but made the guy all that much more human.
No one can imagine what it was like to live either of their lives. Elvis spoke toward the end that he became tired of being 'Elvis Presley'
 

Elvis Presley: "The image is one thing and the human being is another...it's very hard to live up to an image."
Press conference (June 1972)



You should recognise the title of the song in the pic David

[Diamondsbylauren]

Extremely well put Foxylady.
No question drugs played a huge, and destructive role in both Elvis, and Michael Jackson's life.

Pip- I guess categorizing them as "junkies" is accurate.....but to me the use of the word comes with negative connotations.

The point I was making was that such immense talent usually comes with a tremendous personal cost. Many times this is overlooked.

Elvis and Michael Jackson were people who had exceptional gifts- literally one in a hundred million.
When a person is that talented, and exercises the talent, it uses up so much of a person.
There's going to be costs elsewhere in life. As you put it Pip- he was so human, Elvis.

 
As an analogy- have you ever seen an Eagle walk?

I suppose the point you are making- and it is a good one- is that there's little or no fundamental difference between an unfortunate soul living on the street, addicted to drugs, and Michael Jackson.
In many ways, I guess that's true.

[Pip]

..repost.. 

[Pip]

Extremely well put Foxylady.
No question drugs played a huge, and destructive role in both Elvis, and Michael Jackson's life.

Pip- I guess categorizing them as "junkies" is accurate.....but to me the use of the word comes with negative connotations.

The point I was making was that such immense talent usually comes with a tremendous personal cost. Many times this is overlooked.

Elvis and Michael Jackson were people who had exceptional gifts- literally one in a hundred million.
When a person is that talented, and exercises the talent, it uses up so much of a person.
There's going to be costs elsewhere in life. As you put it Pip- he was so human, Elvis.

 
As an analogy- have you ever seen an Eagle walk?

I suppose the point you are making- and it is a good one- is that there's little or no fundamental difference between an unfortunate soul living on the street, addicted to drugs, and Michael Jackson.
In many ways, I guess that's true.

Yah.
Michael spoke to Lisa Marie that he was going to end up the same way as her father. I think the drug problems really began about 1994-5 onwards. Some speculate way before that during the 'Victory' tour period.

It was no secret that MJ's family were trying to ween him off the drugs (fluctuations in weight, appearance etc were a big give away of an addict). Again similarities are striking...

He even had a song titled 'Morphine'...

BTW Funnily enough Elvis would be turning in his grave at the whole 'union' of Lisa and Michael. Southern values and all.

[Pip]

The song:



And here is just ONE sad instance of what it can take from a person. I have witnessed many of my friends go the same way: